One-Pot Cheesy Vegetable Pasta for Kids

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A colorful and creamy pasta dish packed with tender vegetables, designed to delight kids with familiar flavors and a smooth cheese sauce. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, water, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 8 oz penne pasta, 4 cups water, 1 diced medium carrot, 1/2 cup frozen peas, and 1 cup chopped broccoli florets. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and cook uncovered for 10 minutes until pasta is tender and vegetables are soft.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt 2 tbsp butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling and golden, stirring constantly.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
  4. Step 4: Drain pasta and vegetables, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta mixture to the pot, pour in cheese sauce, add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and stir gently to combine. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to reach desired creaminess. Serve warm.

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